perhaps

1 of 2

adverb

per·​haps pər-ˈhaps 

ˈpraps

: possibly but not certainly : maybe

perhaps

2 of 2

noun

: something open to doubt or conjecture

Synonyms of perhaps

Adverb

• maybe
• possibly
• probably

Examples of perhaps in a Sentence

Adverb

perhaps we will not have to take this exam, but I doubt it

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Until today, human scientists have been the agents responsible for discovering cancer cures, and for doing so they (and key associates) have been showered with academic credit and awards, perhaps even a Nobel Prize. — Jeffrey S. Flier, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Dorinda’s residence is perhaps the single most iconic location in all of Housewifery because that demonic energy caused friction in every single interaction that took place there. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

But like the ShoalFest performance, the addition of Isbell is perhaps the most obvious difference between Decoration Day and the band’s three previous albums. — Jim Beaugez, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026

But perhaps no writer as celebrated as Vollmann has spent more of their adult life here. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

per + hap

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1520, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for perhaps

• bitmaps
• bootstraps
• collapse
• elapse
• mishaps
• prolapse
• relapse
• satraps
• wiretaps
• apps
• caps
• chaps

Kids Definition

perhaps

adverb

per·​haps

pər-ˈ(h)aps, 

ˈpraps

: possibly but not certainly

Etymology

Adverb

from per (preposition) "by, according to" and haps, plural of hap "chance, chance occurrence" — related to happen, happy, mishap